THE VILLAGE

NEWS HERMANUS & OVERSTRAND

20 JANUARY 2023 YOUR FREE COPY NEXT ISSUE OF THE VILLAGE NEWS: 27 JANUARY 2023

#THISISTHEGOODNEWS #LOVEALITTLELOCAL This photo of bioluminescence caused by the red tide was taken by award-winning photographer Erlo Brown at Sievers Point on Tuesday 10 January at 23:09. “As impressive as this photo of bioluminescence might be, what is not in the frame is probably even more impressive,” says Erlo, describing his experience photographing the bioluminescence at Sievers Point. “As I was capturing the photo, a meteor came roaring down from the sky. The green ball of fire hallowed by a red glow happened to appear directly above the mountains where the camera was pointing. Although the camera shutter was open during the impressive light display, the shooting star must have stopped above the frame of the camera, thus not appearing in the photo. A reminder that the most precious moments in life are fleeting – be present.” More of Erlo’s photos can be found on Facebook (@erlobrownphotography) and Instagram (@erlo_brown). To read more about red tides, turn to P3. PHOTO: Erlo Brown Photography

Tourism bounces back Writer Annette Yell

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espite the ongoing economic challenges of loadshedding, the Overstrand experienced its first post-Covid bumper tourism season. This was confirmed by Municipal Manager Dean O’Neill, who said by all counts December was indeed the bumper season the hospitality industry had been waiting for to recuperate some of the losses incurred during the previous two plus years. “Tourism business owners are upbeat about the festive trade and the talk is that there have been a few trading days this season that surpassed previous record turnover days.” According to O’Neill sales seemed to peak in the week leading up to

Christmas Day, with some businesses reporting buoyant business just after 25 December.

“The Overstrand was operationally ready to receive visitors, and this paid off with positive holiday experiences. Appreciative comments about how well the traffic officers managed traffic flow in the face of loadshedding and how clean the towns were are well received and will surely benefit the Overstrand’s economy in months to come,” the municipal manager said. The mayor, Dr Annelie Rabie, is delighted that visitor numbers are increasing and that things seem to be getting back to normal in the tourism space after the negative effects of the Covid-19 pandemic the previous two years. She indicated that the municipality

was ready for the much-needed influx of tourists from all over and congratulated the operational and protection services teams for a job well done.

Owner of Heritage Restaurant, John Biller, said this was only his second year in Hermanus and he therefore couldn’t comment on pre-Covid seasons. “However, I was busy right though the holiday period.” John said most of his clientele were holidaymakers from South Africa and overseas. “What was very pleasing was the increase in locals – with a number having more than one meal.” Chef Shane Sauvage, owner of La Pentola said it was an absolute bumper season. “I’m very happy and very proud to be in this town. It was so amazing to see the true potential of Hermanus; when everything is in alignment, it will take a lot to beat

this incredible town of ours,” he said. Shane added that everything ran seamlessly and that he had to compliment the mayor and her team for the way the town was run.

“Everything went like clockwork, and they made us proud. As for loadshedding, we are so used to it, so whether you are at home or on holiday, if anything, we might be braaiing a little earlier on Sundays. Other than that, everyone was min gespin.” Earlier this week JP Powers, son of the Cuckoo Tree owners, said he is happy for a reprieve as they were run off their feet over the festive season. He added however, that he’s not complaining. “It was an exceptionally busy few weeks.” The owner of Milk, Char’d and Pear Tree, Petri Hendriksz, said it was a

great season. “We had many visitors from Gauteng and the Cape. Loadshedding posed some challenges, but we coped.” Michael Bayer, owner of the Beanery said they’ve been trading in Hermanus for about 14 years. “After roasting coffee for 25 years you would think I know what I’m doing, but I ran out of coffee.” Michael, who also manages the Hermanus Country Market said in 14 years, they’ve never experienced such a good season. “The new tent made the market incredibly weather resistant. So even on rainy days, we had normal day turnover.” Michael said they’ve spent the last two years focusing on the crafters who did really well. “For the first time in two years, crafters did more turnover than everybody else.”

Continues on P3

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THE VILLAGE NEWS

20 January 2023

Concern about tender for Grotto site Writer Annette Yell

people had signed the petition.

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Joke said earlier this week she is very humbled that people have taken the time and trouble to sign a petition. She added that she will do whatever she can to save the business for herself, her suppliers and her loyal customers. “I am extremely thankful that we have so much local support.”

petition is doing the rounds in Hermanus as a tender comes up for review for the long-term lease and development of a portion of Erf 4771 at Grotto Beach. Residents are concerned that the Dutchies Summer Lounge site and soon Dutchies itself, may have to make way for a commercial chain. The petition urges residents to act now to lodge their objections as these restaurants are Hermanus icons. “Joke, Daan and Just Gonggrijp, the owners, have supported local suppliers, from brewers and produce suppliers to wine farms, and made them central to their business,” the petition states. “They care about the community and find ways to support and uplift people at every opportunity.” At the time of going to print 4 556

In December Dutchies celebrated their 10th anniversary under the Gonggrijps’ ownership and Joke is proud of having built it from a ‘little shop’ to a real restaurant. She said Dutchies is “not only a restaurant, it’s a home away from home for people”. They also enjoy support from overseas visitors who return annually, in addition to their loyal local clientele. Joke admitted that she has huge concerns about the upcoming tender. “I can never beat a chainstore,” she said. “So, in the end I keep my fingers

crossed that sanity will prevail when the tender is awarded.” And should they be awarded the tender, Joke promised they will be around for another 25 years to continue offering a ‘home’ for everyone. Municipal Manager Dean O’Neill said the sale and lease of all municipal land is subject to a fair, equitable, transparent, competitive, and cost-effective process. “In this case a tender was advertised for the long-term lease of the property in question, a portion of Erf 4771 Hermanus adjacent to the municipal building and across the road from Dutchies at Grotto Beach.” O’Neill said the tenders closed on 2 December 2022 and the municipality is currently busy with the evaluation of those tenders received. “Currently the land is leased until 28 February 2023 to the owners of Dutchies for the purpose of their summer lounge. This lease was consid-

ered on request from Dutchies, considering the fact that the land is subject to a tender that still needs to be finalised,” the municipal manager explained. O’Neill said in his view the petition is premature as no decision has been taken on the tender yet. “I would not like to make any further pronouncements on it as I do not want the tender process compromised, which could, in my view, be what people want to achieve for their own benefit.” O’Neill said he can, however, give the assurance that due diligence will be exercised in the awarding of the tender. ”It should also be noted that any tenderer who participated in this tender has the right to appeal the decision of the Bid Adjudication Committee once it has been taken. Of further note is the fact that this tender does not infringe on any of the rights that Dutchies currently have regarding their lease of the building where the restaurant is currently trading from.”

African penguins released The Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB) successfully released 51 African penguins at the Stony Point colony in Betty’s Bay on 8 January, as well as five rehabilitated Kelp gulls and a Black-headed heron. SANCCOB’s seabird hospital in Cape Town has been under quarantine since the end of November 2022 following an outbreak of Avian Influenza (bird flu). The release of the seabirds is an incredible achievement and serves as a testament to the diligent efforts of all SANCCOB staff and volunteers to adhere to the strict biosecurity measures which prevented the spread of the highly pathogenic Avian Influenza disease. It has been a challenging time for the team at SANCCOB who have been monitoring individual birds daily (there are 500 seabirds in their care) for any Avian Influenza symptoms that may have developed. Being under quarantine has meant that SANCCOB could not release birds and were only permitted to admit newly acquired patients to the seabird hospital if they were in urgent need of intensive care. A separate off-site facility enabled SANCCOB to care for most of the new seabirds admitted from the wild.

“Limited human capacity and the need for extra equipment and consumables, posed major challenges, especially during the December holiday period. A heartfelt thank you to the dedicated interns and volunteers who assisted us during the festive period,” says Monica Stassen, SANCCOB’s Preparedness and Response Manager. Head of Conservation at SANCCOB, Nicky Stander, shares, “We are happy to report that our increased biosecurity protocols allowed us to isolate some areas of our facility that were not affected by the disease. These areas have been kept separate from the affected birds since the outbreak was detected with strict biosecurity measures in place, including their own pool, equipment, and personnel. The birds in these areas were retested and the results are negative for Avian Influenza. Based on the negative test results and SANCCOB’s strict biosecurity protocol, the Department of Agriculture awarded SANCCOB a special permit to release birds from the pens. Dr David Roberts, SANCCOB’s Clinical Veterinarian, says, “Whilst the news is positive, SANCCOB Cape Town remains under state-mandated quarantine, and strict biosecurity measures are

still being implemented. We still have over 350 birds in care, some of which are still affected by Avian Influenza. Although the infected birds are mostly asymptomatic or have very mild symptoms, it is still a lot of work to feed and care for so many penguins that are otherwise ready for release. We are concerned that their extended stay in captivity will lead to secondary health complications.”

PHOTOS: SANCCOB

Before SANCCOB can release any birds, they must be kept in an isolated area where all the birds are free from symptoms and test negative for Avian Influenza. The organisation will continue to work closely with the Department of Agriculture on a testing and release strategy that minimises risk to seabirds in the wild. Stander says, “We are very grateful to every person and entity who has contributed to this first set of successful releases; we could not have achieved this without the financial and on-site support received, and the hard work of all individuals who have played a role. It is still a long road to walk before all the birds are free from Avian Influenza and quarantine can be lifted, but we are confident that most of the birds in our care will soon be swimming free once more.” – Ronnis Daniels

TOP: SANCCOB successfully released 51 African penguins at the Stony Point colony in Betty’s Bay earlier this month. BELOW: The birds were released amid a bird flu outbreak at SANCCOB Cape Town, following strict biosecurity measures and pre-release criteria.

20 January 2023

Overstrand is back in business From P1 More good news was announced by Provincial Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities, Mireille Wenger who welcomed preliminary statistics received from Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) on 11 January. These showed that Cape Town International Airport recorded a spectacular recovery in passenger numbers during the peak season month of December when compared to pre-pandemic numbers. Wenger said: “These preliminary statistics received from ACSA show that Cape Town International Airport recorded 266 656 international two-way passenger numbers for December 2022, resulting in a spectacular 95% recovery when compared to December 2019. The domestic terminal, for the same month, recorded a strong 72% recovery when compared to the 2019 figures, with 790 514 two-way passengers recorded. Together, this is expected to bring the two-way passenger numbers for CTIA to over 8 million in 2022.”

Tourism stats for December • 348 events recorded in December 2022 – a 59% increase on the 219 events of December 2021. The full events calendar kept travellers and residents busy. There were two festivals: Hermanus International Food & Wine Festival with 2 000 tickets sold and the Stanford Village Festival. • 4 543 walk-ins to the four tourism Visitor Information Centres (VICs). A record number for the past three years. • 1 700 people visited Danger Point Lighthouse during the 11 days it opened in December. This compares positively with the 2 164 visitors received from April until end November 2022. Visitors came from all corners of South Africa, France, India, Canada, Namibia, Switzerland, Scotland, Australia and Germany. • Betty’s Bay parkrun was ranked in 4th place for South African parkrun participation on 31 December, with 487 finishers and Hermanus in 10th spot with 415. These numbers are for one day’s participation. • There were 2 017 visitors to Kogelberg Nature Reserve during the month. • Harold Porter National Botanical Garden received 7 150 visitors. This is a 12% increase on the previous year. • Kogelberg Nature Reserve had 57% more visitors during the month – 2 017 as opposed to the 1 287 previously. The source market was mostly Northern Cape and Gauteng with a significant amount of new visitors. • 36 teams registered for the Hot Summer of Touch on Kleinmond Main Beach on 18 December. With eight players per team that is 288 participants on the day. • 40 entries were received for the Strandskloof 4x4. • 340 athletes participated in the Gansbaai Half Marathon and 500 in the two lesser distances. • Approximately 600 tickets were sold for each of the three live music shows held at Stanford Hills. The Jeremy Loops performance sold out. • Western Cape Traffic count measured a high of 15 160 vehicles at the Kleinmond turn-off on the R43 arriving in the Overstrand. This was followed by 13 427 arriving on Monday 26 December. Traffic count was lowest on Sunday 25 December with 10 035 vehicles arriving. • A New Year’s eve wedding in Hemel-en-Aarde Valley had 290 guests staying over in Hermanus. • December had the 2nd highest visitor numbers for 2022 going out from Kleinbaai Slipway – 5 482. October had the highest figure of 665.

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THE VILLAGE NEWS

Red tides: tiny algae can cause problems B ioluminescence spotted in the water along our coastline over the past week has sparked an interest on social media, with many people sharing their videos and photos of the natural phenomenon. But what exactly is it? The blue glow in the water at night is caused by an algal bloom (what is commonly known as a red tide), which causes the water in affected places to appear red during the day. So far, the red tide has been spotted in several areas in the Overberg over the last seven days including Onrus Beach, Sievers Point, Voëlklip Beach, Grotto Beach and even as far as Skipskop near Arniston. To find out more about red tides, we spoke to Ralph Watson, the marine biologist at Dyer Island Conservation Trust (DICT): Q: What is the cause of red tides? A: The most basic food source in the ocean is algae, or rather, phytoplankton. This is an incredibly diverse type of plant material that the entire oceanic food web is dependent on. Some of these algae can be very toxic – just as we have non-toxic and toxic plants, there are non-toxic and toxic algae. As grass is dependent on the nutrients in the soil, algae are dependent on nutrients in the water. The majority of nutrients can be found in the deep waters, anywhere from 500 m deep, but algae won’t grow here due to the lack of sunlight. When surface water gets a high influx of nutrients as a result of (for instance) upwelling, the combination of nutrients, sunlight, and algae present, cause what’s known as an algal bloom. Most algal blooms are harmless and are actually quite beneficial to ocean life as they provide the foundation that trophic (food) webs in the ocean are built on. However, it is unpredictable what type of algae will result in an algal bloom, and is often purely a matter of chance. Harmful algae cause high concentrations of toxins in the water or can make the water difficult for marine life to breathe, resulting in mass die-offs of fish, shellfish, mammals, and birds in the area. This in turn can cause the water to turn red – hence a red tide. Q: Our last serious red tide in Walker Bay was in 2017. Is this red tide one to be concerned about? A: Shellfish eat algae, filtering their food out of the water. If they happen to filter high numbers

of toxic algae, it can in turn make them toxic. While human deaths from red tides are rare, they can still be debilitating. If there is an announcement of red tide in the area by officials, it is better to be safe than sorry and avoid swimming in the water and/or eating locally sourced shellfish for a while.

Our abalone farms are closely monitored for harmful algae. As they pump water from the ocean into their holding tanks where abalone grow, they continuously monitor the algae that come along and make sure no toxic ones happen to come through and impact the abalone growing there. Q: In severe cases the red tide can affect marine life. Is there any way that the public can assist if help is needed by DICT? A: Currently there is no way to adequately deal with red tides. It is purely a natural process that needs to take its course. Once the nutrients in the area are used up, the algae will die off, and after a while the ecosystem will return to its natural equilibrium. For now, it would be best to just monitor the situation. The red tide can affect a wide variety of sea-life in the area. If the public finds any stranded animals, it is suggested to stay away from the animal (animals in distress can be dangerous to the public). The Dyer Island Conservation Trust is part of the local strandings network. If you see any stranded animal, whether as a result of red tide or not, contact the APSS Rescue Line on 072 598 7117. Q: What causes water to ‘glow’ at night during a red tide? A: Some red tide algae, such as dinoflagellates (which are major oxygen producers in marine and freshwater) can create bioluminescence which is the soft blue glow that people see in the oceans at night. Bioluminescence can be found in a wide variety of examples in nature, from jellyfish to squid, fish and even fireflies. Dinoflagellates have a structure in the cell called scintillon, which houses an enzyme called luciferase and a molecule called luciferin. Changes in the scintillon due to agitation, for example breaking waves, activate the luciferase enzyme causing the binding of luciferin to oxygen. This produces oxyluciferin, which generates light as a by-product and creates the blue glow in the crashing waves. For more information on DICT, visit www.dict. org.za. – Taylum Meyer

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THE VILLAGE NEWS

20 January 2023

Art, food, and soon-to-be wine at Sir Robert Stanford Estate

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ocals were able to meet the new owners of Sir Robert Stanford Estate last week at the opening of an exhibition by Capetonian sculptor Robin Kutinyu. The beautiful farm was taken over last year by Peter Stritzl, his wife Lydia, and their children Marvin and Nadine from Germany. Nadine first visited Stanford when she began volunteering at Green Futures at the Grootbos Foundation seven years ago. She immediately fell in love with the area after attending a Stanford Sunset Market and was saddened when she had to return home to Germany, saying that it felt like she was leaving a part of her heart behind. Six years later, the Stritzls’ 17-yearlong friends at the Crayfish Lodge in De Kelders informed them of a farm for sale near Stanford. The family jumped at the chance and bought Sir Robert Stanford Estate in January 2022. Before changing ownership, Sir Robert Stanford Estate used to sell most of their grapes to other farms in the area. Deciding to change that, the Stritzls asked well-known local winemaker Tariro Masayiti to join their team so that the Estate could begin making and selling its own wine. Next month they will have their first har-

vest, and in 2024 Sir Robert Stanford Estate will introduce their first wines to the market.

immediately hit it off and they invited him to display some of his sculptures on the farm.

Tariro is excited to begin working his magic on the grapes and says, “There is huge potential here. The farm is south-facing with a high altitude, and we have a cold ocean breeze and granite-rich soils. We are growing Pinot noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon blanc and Chenin blanc grapes.”

Robin’s work is influenced by animals, the human figure, the movement and anatomy of animals, and the human form. He works in a variety of media including bronze casting, granite (for its multiple textures and finishing qualities), marble (for its classic association with sculptors), bowenite, Potoro Leonardo (a type of marble), jasper, sodalite, picture stone (for its dazzling colours), spring stone and wonder stone. Over the next three months, he will be adding a few more sculptures to the Estate.

Nadine, who is just as excited as Tariro, says she has learnt a lot from him during the months that she has been here. “We are so happy to have Tariro as our winemaker. We handle more of the business side where we have experience and have full confidence in Tariro when it comes to the vineyards and winemaking.” Nadine also announced that they would be building a tasting room and cellar during the course of this year for the public to enjoy, designed by the same architect who designed the buildings at Grootbos. Besides introducing wine to the farm, the Stritzl family were also intrigued by the idea of adding art. Sandra Fairfax, who owns the Juno & Jax shop on the Estate, introduced the Stritzl family to Robin Kutinyu from Cape Town earlier this year. The family and Robin

The Stritzl family will stay in Stanford until the season starts winding down and then return to Germany for a few months to check on their family real estate business. Sir Robert Stanford Estate is a true gem on the R43 just outside Stanford with beautiful views to enjoy – so next time you drive past, pop in to see the sculptures on the farm, or visit Zesty Lemon for lunch and Juno & Jax for some gift shopping. By this time next year, hopefully you will be able to pop in at Sir Robert Stanford Estate’s wine cellar too! – Taylum Meyer

ABOVE: The Stritzl family is excited to be part of the Stanford community. Cheers! From left are Nadine Stritzl, Peter Stritzl, Tariro Masayiti (winemaker at Sir Robert Stanford Estate) and his daughter Tariro Lily Masayiti, Marvin Stritzl, Lydia Stritzl and Tariro’s wife (and experienced viticulturist) Hildegard. RIGHT: Robin enjoys leaving pieces seemingly unfinished, allowing the viewer to interpret and fill in the rest. PHOTOS: Taylum Meyer

Hold fast to dreams… The new exhibition at the FynArts Gallery, titled ‘Now Dream’, was opened to the public on Saturday 14 January by award-winning poet Bibi Slippers and features the work of three Overberg artists, namely Nastasha Minyon Sale, Jason Wyness and Alex Hamilton. The three artists met in the charming town of Napier where they formed ‘The Napier Art Collective’. Each of them works in very different genres of art and in vastly different mediums, but have found a common ground through their mutual respect and passion for contemporary art. “The symbiosis of nature and human society and the impact it has on each

other becomes our inspirational, aspirational, and symbolic narrative of myth and abstraction in dreams,” say Nastasha, Jason and Alex of their exhibition. “The three of us work in a rural landscape surrounded by the beauty and force of nature. It is therefore not surprising that we tap into the power of the earth and that our dreams are filled with the evidence of wonder. Void of urban structure and technological toxins, the energy of nature guides our artistic hopes and dreams.” In each of their pieces, the three artists have explored the reality and mystery of dream while exploring their passion to the full. The storytelling aspect of their art includes

nature and mythology by Nastasha, abstraction and landscape by Jason, and global versus inner worlds and aspiration by Alex. Their exhibition shows their obvious love for nature and the wonder it provides artistically, mentally and emotionally. The exhibition will run until 18 February at the FynArts Gallery in The Courtyard at 2 Harbour Road in Hermanus. Those who are interested will be able to meet the artists and ask them questions about their work on 21 January between 09:00 and 11:00; and on 3 February at the First Fridays Artwalk between 17:00 and 20:00. – Taylum Meyer

Alex Hamilton, Nastasha Minyon Sale and Jason Wyness are part of the Napier Art Collective. PHOTO: Taylum Meyer

20 January 2023

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THE VILLAGE NEWS

Hub students distinguish themselves Writer Elaine Davie

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our years into its existence, the Overstrand Learning Hub (Hermanus Varsity) has earned the right to be extraordinarily proud of its students’ as well as its own achievements. In fact, there can be few, or perhaps no other tertiary institution of its size, that can say that amongst only 35 students, 53 distinctions were earned in 2022. These were students studying for a B Ed (Foundation Phase) degree – first and second year – as well as those enrolled for the one-year Higher Certificate in Pre-school Education, both courses offered online by STADIO, the tertiary arm of the Curro Group, with the hands-on support of the OLH. According to Dr Nicoline Rousseau, Executive Director of the Hub, the learning structure, which combines online instruction with face-to-face individual and small-group tutoring and practical training in community schools, has proven to be a winning formula. “In addition to these factors,” she says, “we expose them to a Personal and Professional Development Programme, much of it built around the reflective learning approach, which is aimed at preparing them for the challenging job of being an educator.”

LEFT: Some of the first and second year superstars who received two distinctions or more for their 2022 B Ed (Foundation Phase) final exams. Back from Left to Right: Nicola Bailey, Alzeen Vlotman, Anna van Deventer and Samirah Luyt. Front: Crezelda Willemse, Niveena Jantjies, Chloë Kelfkens (top student with seven distinctions) and Kesrè Jonathan. Not pictured: Buhle Mkaza, Rawaida Plaatjies, Liëtte Perold, Lindokuhle Thuketzi and Matshidiso Thukutha. RIGHT: One of the OLH’s star students, Rawaida Plaaitjies (Right) who achieved four distinctions at the end of her second year of B Ed (Foundation Phase) studies, at the OLH’s end-of-the-year event in December 2022 with Seed Funder, Johan Visser and his wife, Elzette. PHOTOS: Supplied

contact lectures. When they are scheduled for compulsory in-school practical training, they have to take leave, sometimes unpaid, from their day jobs.”

For Theo Krynauw, one of the founders of the OLH, together with Emeritus Prof John de Gruchy, the decision to focus on teacher training at the Hub was a no-brainer. “There’s only one thing worse than being unemployed,” he states, “and that is being unemployable. But there will always be a need for good teachers. Not only that, but if our children and young people are to escape the stranglehold of intergenerational poverty, the education they receive at Pre-school and Foundation Phase levels must be of the highest quality; that’s where the groundwork for success is laid.”

Add to this the fact that their home circumstances may not be conducive to study, with loadshedding a further complication. Students talk of WhatsApping one another after midnight to seek and offer encouragement to carry on for just one more day. The story of Rawaida Plaaitjies, who earned four distinctions – Teaching Practice, Afrikaans Home Language, Education Theory and Practice, and Sociopedagogics – in her second year of the degree course is an example of what most of OLH’s mature students have to contend with.

As Nici adds, “What makes these results so remarkable is the commitment and hard work demonstrated by our students under sometimes unbelievably difficult circumstances. Nearly all of them have a day job, after which they have to attend online lectures or tutorials and on Saturdays they come to the Hub for ancillary

Rawaida matriculated in 1991 and says she always wanted to be a teacher but as one of eight children in the family, she had to work after leaving school and couldn’t afford to go to university. Later, after her marriage broke up, she struggled on as the single parent of two young daughters. However, she never gave up on her

dream of qualifying as a teacher and in 2015 she completed her Level 5 National Diploma in Early Childhood Development. When she found she could register as a STADIO student, with OLH contact and financial support, she believed her prayers had been answered and she enrolled in 2021. Despite working full-time as a teaching assistant and having to travel from Kleinmond, where she lives, to Hermanus for her tutorials and lectures, Rawaida has just passed her second year of B Ed with flying colours and is looking forward to the third year. With her passion for education, she also made certain that her two daughters had access to post-matric studies – one is a qualified beauty therapist and the other a social worker. Nici believes that Rawaida’s dedication is a perfect example of what the OLH stands for: “Service to the community; persistence regardless of obstacles, and commitment to making a positive difference in education.” She has immeasurable respect and admiration for the calibre

of their students. But also for the tutors, most of whom are retired academics with a wealth of subject knowledge and teaching experience, who offer their time, energy and personal commitment to the development and welfare of the students on a voluntary basis. And then, as she emphasises, there are the individuals, businesses and civil society organisations who not only generously sponsor students’ fees, but take a personal interest in their progress. (Under normal circumstances the courses, especially the four-year B Ed degree course, would be beyond the students’ financial capacity, and because both STADIO and the OLH are private institutions, they are not eligible for NSFAS support.) However, ODH’s commitment to educational excellence goes beyond direct support for its students. On the cards for 2023 are several new initiatives, including a research project to explore the efficacy of the Hub’s model and its impact on the wider community, and the introduction of a structured discussion group for the

tutors. Nici hopes also to be adding a new module on children’s brain development and its effect on various aspects of their cognitive and behavioural progress. Excitingly, plans are also afoot to initiate the process of expanding the Hub’s premises beyond the existing Old Synagogue building. Of course, all these projects depend on the availability of funds… There seems little doubt that the OLH, with the ongoing support of the people of the Overstrand, will play an increasingly significant role in furthering Hermanus’s reputation as a Centre of Educational Excellence, or that its outstanding students will be instrumental in freeing our children from the clutches of unremitting poverty and hopelessness. Although many students who have obtained the Higher Certificate in Pre-school Education go on to enrol for the B Ed degree, there are still limited openings for both courses in 2023. See the advertisement on this page for more information.

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THE VILLAGE NEWS

THE VILLAGE

NEWS DE WAAL STEYN Publishing Editor

[email protected] 083 700 3319

ANNETTE YELL

EDITORIAL COMMENT

Wesgro reported data showing twoway international passengers at Cape Town International Airport at 95% recovery when compared to 2019 figures. They are confident that the province is well on its way to moving from tourism recovery to tourism

TAYLUM MEYER

[email protected] 084 564 0779

CHARÉ VAN DER WALT

Marketing & Sales Manager [email protected] 082 430 1974

NICKEY JACKSON Marketing & Design [email protected] 079 408 7722

ILANA VAN DER MERWE Graphic Design

BARBARA HAYN Social Media & Admin

growth in 2023 and this bodes well for the Overstrand as we are a preferred destination. Cruise Cape Town, powered by Wesgro, is welcoming 75 ship visits to the Cape Town Cruise Terminal (November ’22 to April ’23), the largest number in its history, of which 41 ships are turnaround visits (i.e. passengers disembark here and new passengers board for a new journey). And it goes without saying that a fair number of those passengers will be planning a trip to the Overstrand during their visit.

Like business, tourism will follow those areas that are best able to mitigate the current loadshedding which has been foisted upon us.

Department of Economic Development Municipal Energy Resilience (MER) initiatives in becoming energy resilient

At the first meeting of his newly established Energy Council on Thursday 12 January, Premier Alan Winde said that the Western Cape must become independent of Eskom as quickly as possible.

In Overstrand, two studies have been completed and, as is often the case, these studies raised questions that require more work. The municipality said in December 2022 that this additional information will be available in February, which should put them in a position to do a Mini Integrated Resource Plan (IRP). We keep our fingers crossed. – This is the good NEWS

It was reported last year that Overstrand was one of the candidate municipalities in the Western Cape’s

Sing a song of sixpence, a pocket full of bucks

[email protected] 082 828 5676

PhotoJournalist

Let there be light

It is with a collective sigh of relief that we welcome the return of visitors, both national and international, to our shores. And it’s not only in the Overstrand that visitor expectations were exceeded – it has also been a bumper season for the Cape as a whole.

Acting Editor & Journalist

20 January 2023

By Murray Stewart www.murraystewart.co.za

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hen an interesting topic belches up out of the swamp of knowledge, research on the internet offers a variety of articles by journalists who all look through different keyholes at the subject. Folklore, fiction and facts often end up in the same blender, and sometimes blatant untruths are blandly redefined as ‘alternative facts’. Apart from that, the sheer volume of facts, alternative or not, means that once I’ve cherry-picked my column’s little basketful, most cherries sadly remain on the tree – hopefully to be picked for another plucker’s article. These days, the internet and various social media platforms have algorithms which invade and contaminate you like an incurable virus. It learns your tendencies, affiliations and interests, then studiously steers you back towards them, so it’s difficult to discern between fact and fable. But on with the mental-flossing. This week’s particular subject – Woodstock – has been written about for

decades and widely varying statistics have been flung around like confetti. However, I managed to find the right keyhole to peep through with the type of stats I was looking for. Who got paid what? In 1969 a dollar was worth roughly what $8.2 buys today, so everyone’s fees are reflected in today’s value. The official film/album/book etc. never discuss payments, nor do most people know which acts were either edited out, too smashed to perform, or blankly refused to be included in the final packages anyway. One way or another, just imagine the logistics involved in staging this remarkable event spanning three days, with 32 acts performing to around 400 000 stoned hippies. Two people died and two babies were born, but seriously, who would rationally choose a weekend camp-out in the rain when you’re nine months pregnant? Richie Havens had to open the show without his complete band. Stuck in traffic, some hadn’t pitched up, but the show had to go on. Sadly, the next act – Sweetwater – was also gridlocked miles away, and after his planned set and three encores, he’d

run out of his rehearsed repertoire so he started busking, and basically improvised the song ‘Freedom’ which later became his flagship and biggest hit. He got $49 000. Carlos Santana and his entourage were still relatively unknown and received only $6 000. But Woodstock set the stage, literally, for his international recognition and elevation to stardom.

backstage was laced with LSD, and tripping out of their skulls, they nonetheless managed to perform to an equally stoned audience for $51 000. Janis Joplin and her new Kozmic Blues Band were also totally wasted – so wasted that very little of them featured in the official movie and soundtracks. But they still pocketed nearly $61 000.

Joe Cocker, avoiding the miles-long traffic jams, arrived by chopper and was a huge success, but even ‘with a little help from his friends’, The Grease Band, pocketed only $11 000. Due to some heavy downpours, the Grateful Dead were in for an unwelcome shock. Their sound engineer somehow managed to remove the ‘earth’ in the wiring which blew the power out altogether – lights, speakers and cameras. Everything ground to a halt as the sparks flew. They were given $18 000 anyway.

No more space for all the artists – some we’ve never heard of before – but among the better known groups, Creedence Clearwater Revival got over $81 000 as a band, as did Joan Baez, queen of the ‘folk’, as a soloist. Blood Sweat and Tears – a 10-piece outfit – received $121 000 which is not bad for a night’s work. The last act, Jimi Hendrix performed at 09:00 on the Monday morning to a measly gathering of only 40 000, and his iconic rendition of the National Anthem, among a couple of other ditties, earned him $146 000.

Ravi Shankar’s sitar, made famous by the Beatles, earned him over $36 000 for playing in the rain, and later on, Crosby Stills Nash were joined by Neil Young to raucous cheering, and they left the stage over $40 000 richer. The Who complained that the coffee

But where did all this ‘up-front’ money come from? Being a ‘free concert’, there was no entrance fee, and whereas album/movie/book royalties would over time reimburse the organisers, the artists would have been paid straight after the weekend. Wonder what they spent it on.

FORECASTS: HERMANUS, OVERBERG PROUDLY SPONSORED BY TALISMAN HIRE HERMANUS

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KEY #thisisthegoodnews #lovealittlelocal

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20 January 2023

7

THE VILLAGE NEWS

MY COMMUNITY

Community not Lifeguards need considered equipment Loadshedding and reliance on national government teaches a lesson: self-sustainability and charity begins at home.

In Hermanus and the greater Overstrand, we should be innovating and working towards self-sustainability. To this end, our elected representatives as well as the employed administration, need to be firmly reminded that their collective activities and functions are to serve us, the people. In Hermanus two specific issues are imminently about to be decided upon – issues that affect us as a community: one is the awarding of a tender for De Mond and the other is the awarding of a tender on Grotto Beach.

tatives are quick to tell us that there are procedures in which they cannot get involved when it comes to tenders. What they do not tell us is how the wants, desires and needs of us – the people – are considered. It is the view of many that we – the people – need to be consulted on what should be public and transparent matters during these processes. Not only as the land is public, but also to protect and guide the character of our area. It is essential. The days of a handful of people deciding what is best for us as a community, without our approval, are over. Will we as a community continue to allow this to happen? I say a resounding and firm NO!

Both tenders are for public (read OUR) land. Our elected represen-

- Peter Dizzy

New right-turn lane for mall Motorists will have to exercise patience over the next three months, following the provincial Department of Transport and Public Works’ decision to construct a new right-turn lane at Whale Coast Mall on Trunk Road 28 (R43). Work on this project was set to start on Monday 16 January and the anticipated completion date is Friday 17 March.

until 15:30 during this period. The municipality requests the community to please cooperate with the contractor on site while the project is ongoing. Sections of the road that will be affected by this project include: • The R43 median • The traffic island at the existing left-turn lane to Whale Coast Mall

On Wednesday afternoon, 11 January, my 11-year-old daughter had to assist with the rescue of a young woman who was caught in the rip current in Kammabaai. Fortunately, she was surfing nearby and got to the girl in time, who managed to hold onto her board. My daughter paddled against the rip and waited for the lifeguards to reach them and help the girl back to the beach. But herein lies the problem. As proud as I am of her, my daughter is not a lifeguard. Nor is she big or strong enough to rescue swimmers in trouble, especially when they’re panicking. Fortunately, she kept calm and was lucky this time round, as it was a day of big waves, and some of the swells coming through were well over 6 feet. Should they have been pulled round the point they would have been in deep trouble. I think this is becoming a serious problem. Our lifeguards are under-equipped and are only

given a yellow flotation device to assist them with rescues. They have no fins or rescue boards and unfortunately, they all sit far from the area where the rip is, so by the time they are in the water a surfer has already done the rescue (this is due to lack of training; one lifeguard should always be near the water’s edge). This season alone I’ve witnessed my daughter saving this young woman, a surfer saving a father and son, another surfer helping a little girl – and a surfer helping a lifeguard who’d got into trouble. The lifeguards do not have the necessary equipment and are exhausted after this season and (I hate to say this as they have done a good job considering their situation) are under-trained. I really do believe awareness needs to be raised about the situation on our beaches. If you have an 11-year-old carrying out rescues, you have a system that really and truly is not working. - Justine Mallandain

Appreciation for care at Mediclinic

Overstrand Municipality was informed by the project consultant, Integrate Structural and Civil Engineering, that approval had been given by the DTPW to go ahead with this upgrade on the R43, which is a provincial road.

I hereby convey my sincere thanks and appreciation for the excellent care I received from a specialist physician, surgeons, theatre staff, the Intensive Care Unit, Ward A and Ward B Staff of Mediclinic Hermanus during the 12 days spent recovering after surgery.

The work is planned to take place on weekdays and Saturdays. Lane closure will be in effect from 09:00

May you all be blessed as you serve.

It is comforting to know that we have this excellent medical facility here in Hermanus. - HG Smith

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THE VILLAGE NEWS

20 January 2023

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WHAT’S ON

20 – 29 JANUARY 2023

OVERBERG 20

Friday

Hermanus Hacking Group Volunteers are welcome to join the HHG and help clear alien vegetation, every Friday morning. All tools are provided. For more info contact Charlyn on 082 558 8731 or [email protected]. Meet at Preekstoel (1km up Rotary Way) | 06:45 for 07:00 – 09:00 Friday Morning Market Hosted by Gansbaai NG Kerk, this fun-filled market offers lovely fresh, home-baked goodies, from jams to cookies and much more, every Friday morning. Pretorius Hall, Gansbaai Main Rd | 09:00 –11:30 Bhuki Café The Friends of Hermanus Library are back in action! Come and enjoy tea or coffee with two sweet/savoury treats for only R35, every Friday morning. All proceeds go towards purchasing new books for the library. Hermanus Library | 09:00 – 11:00 Kolwyntjie Teetuin Enjoy a sweet or savoury treat with tea or coffee for only R40 and make new friends at the Onrus Care Centre (Dienssentrum), every Friday morning. Onrus Dutch Reformed Church | 10:30 – 11:30 Remember the Milk Rhino Art Auction Join the Fit 4 Rhino team in collaboration with local artists at Benguela Cove to raise funds for young rhinos. An artist in Hermanus has created a magnificent rhino artwork using only thread and glue which she has generously donated for auction. Inspired by this, other local artists have joined the cause offered artworks for auction too. The proceeds will be donated to the #rememberthemilk campaign, which raises much-needed funds for all emergencies relating to the feeding of baby rhinos (they consume two to three sixpacks of milk a day), veterinarian costs, day-today management and security costs. Tickets are R100 pp for bidders and R50 pp for viewers, and are available at www.benguelacove.co.za under ‘Events’. Price includes a complimentary welcome drink. Benguela Cove | 14:00 – 17:00

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Saturday

XTERRA SA XTERRA SA is returning to the beautiful Elgin Valley with trails curated by seven-time world champion and triathlete, Conrad ‘the Caveman’ Stoltz. Choose from six event categories and stand a chance to win your share of R50 000 and a slot in the XTERRA World Championships in Italy. You will be able to enter on the day but to qualify for SA Champs registration must be done online (online entries close 18 Jan). For more information and to register go to www. xterraplanet.com/event/xterra-south-africa. Grabouw Country Club | 06:00 (21 – 22 January) Hermanus parkrun For all the ‘fast and furious’ as well as the ‘slow and steady’ – experience the joy of exercising outdoors in a safe environment as you walk, run or jog this beautiful 5 km course. Parkruns are also held every Sat morning in Betty’s Bay at Harold Porter and at Groeneweide near Gansbaai. Forest Adventures, Camphill Rd, Hemel-enAarde Valley | 08:00 Hermanus Country Market A favourite among the locals: young, old, twolegged and four-legged family members are all welcome. You’ll find an array of fresh organic produce, wholesome foods, home-made delicacies, arts & crafts, plants and flowers, beers and wine, coffee and live music – everything that’s good for your health and happiness! Next to Hermanus Cricket Field | 09:00 – 14:00

Die Markie, Hermanuspietersfontein Saturdays… no better time and place to relax and catch up with family and friends than the smallest little market in Hermanus. Share a platter and a bottle or help yourself to a brekkie, brunch, or lunch. Hermanuspietersfontein Wynkelder | 09:00 – 13:00 The Gansbaai Market Specialising in fresh produce, home-baked foods and crafts. Come and enjoy entertainment and refreshments at this popular kuierplek. For enquiries, contact 028 384 8325 or email Glenda Kitley [email protected]. Kapokblom St, opposite Gansbaai Tourism | 09:00 – 13:00 Stanford Square Market Come and experience country life at this downto-earth, family-friendly market, every Saturday. Meet the makers, creators and entrepreneurs offering a range of local foods and crafts. Stanford Village Square | 09:00 – 14:00 Junktique Market One man’s junk is another man’s treasure. Pop in and give new life to a previously loved item. Treats and nibbles will also be available. R50 per stall. To book contact 028 341 8516 or email [email protected]. Stanford Tourism Office Courtyard | 09:00 – 12:00 Lemm’s Corner Antique Market Surrounded by art galleries and sublime eateries in Hermanus Old Town, this friendly market offers antiques, bric-a-brac, collectibles, vintage clothing and second-hand books. Please note that this event is weather dependent. Lemm’s Corner | 09:00 – 14:00 (weather dependent) Meet the Artists Three Overberg artists known as ‘The Napier Art Collective’ are exhibiting at the FynArts Gallery from 14 January to 18 February. Alex Hamilton, Jason Wyness and Nastasha Minyon Sale work in three very different genres of art as well as vastly diverse mediums. Their exhibition, Now Dream, combines their love of nature and the wonder it provides artistically and emotionally/mentally. The storytelling aspect of their art includes nature and mythology by Nastasha, abstraction and landscape by Jason, and global versus inner worlds and aspiration by Alex. Pay a visit to the FynArts Gallery to view the exhibition, and meet the artists and ask them any questions you may have about their pieces. FynArts Gallery, The Courtyard | 11:00 – 13:00 Panthera Africa Sunset Visits Come and enjoy the evening with your loved ones as the sun sets and the cats come alive after a long day of rest! Sunset is a magical time of day at Panthera and only 25 places are available for this unique experience. Pre-bookings only at R490 pp (no U13s). Contact 071 182 8368 or [email protected]. Panthera Africa Big Cat Sanctuary (near Stanford) | 18:00 (arrival 17:45) – 20:00

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Sunday

Rooisand Estuary & Beach Walk Join Wild Wellness for an 8 km walk along a beautiful stretch of coastline. The walk starts in Kleinmond and ends in a private nature reserve with secured access. If you are hot, you can swim at the end of the walk in an estuary where the water is warm, calm and inviting. Make sure you wear a hat and sunscreen, bring something to eat, plenty to drink, and a costume and towel. The price is R350 pp (R175 pp for Wild Wellness members). This is a point-to-point hike so shared transport is necessary. Visit www.wildwellness. co.za/product/beach-estuary for more information and to book. Meet at 23 Molteno St, Onrus for shared transport | 06:00 (hike starts at 06:30)

Send your events to [email protected] Lara Kirsten at Volmoed Volmoed will be hosting a joint fundraising concert with pianist and poet Lara Kirsten. Enjoy a moving selection of familiar and not so familiar piano pieces interspersed with poetry complementing the piano program. Tea, coffee and rusk will be available to enjoy after the concert. Tickets are R150 pp for adults and R100 pp for pensioners and scholars. To book call 028 312 1282. Volmoed Chapel, Hemel-en-Aarde Valley | 15:00

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Tuesday

QUEST Talk: Climate Change The guest speaker at this month’s Quest meeting is Dr Kiara Worth. The topic of discussion is ‘Climate Change: What Can We Do?”. Contact Sally on 083 244 6026 for more. Mollergren Hall, Main Rd, Eastcliff | 09:30 U3A Talk: Executive Mayor Annelie Rabie The U3A programme for the year will commence with an address by the Executive Mayor of the Overstrand, Annelie Rabie. The U3A (University of the Third Age) is a valued contributor to the life of the retired community in Hermanus and the Overstrand in general. The concept started in France with the aim of providing educational and general interest programmes to retired people. Municipal Auditorium | 10:00

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Wednesday

L2L Wednesday Walks The L2L Wednesday Walks are a beautiful way to explore our town and make new friends while raising funds for charity. Everyone in the family is invited to join including well-behaved dogs. Choose a distance of 5 km or 10 km, and bring a donation of R20 (or more if you wish!) to participate in the walk. Please ensure that you wear a hat, put on sunscreen and bring lots of water. Sotheby’s Internation Realty, Hermanus (next to Oskars in High St) | 06:30

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Thursday

Breakfast Insight with Alec Hogg Enjoy a delicious breakfast while Alec Hogg shares insight from the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting. WEF convened leaders from government, business, and civil society last week to address the state of the world and discuss priorities for the year ahead. Alec is the founder and publisher of biznews.com and the creator of Moneyweb (an online publishing pioneer). He left Moneyweb in October 2012 and now focuses full-time on Biznews and is a regular keynote business speaker. Tickets are R200 pp and include coffee and breakfast. All proceeds will go towards the medical expenses of Hermanus Golf Club caddy, Israel, who needs a foot operation. Booking is essential on 028 125 0007. Hermanus Golf Club | 09:00

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Friday

U3A Talk: Greater Hermanus Water Systems Stephen Müller, the Director of Infrastructure and Planning of the Overstrand Municipality, will be giving a talk on the Greater Hermanus Water Systems. He will provide a comprehensive overview of the system and deal with various issues such as current and future water demand, water sources, water management and the impact of loadshedding. Catholic Church Hall | 10:00 A Trip Down Memory Lane The St Peters Anglican Church in Hermanus are hosting a fundraising show called ‘A Trip Down Memory Lane’. The show will be performed by a professional group from Cape Town who will be performing well-known songs to sing along to from the 50s and 60s. The cost is R150 pp for adults and R100 pp for those under the age of

16. Tickets are available from the St Peters Anglican Church at 56 Main Road in Hermanus. Call 028 312 1325 for more information. Municipal Auditorium | 18:30 (please be seated by 18:15) Stanford Sunset Market Stanford's favourite, family-friendly, dog-friendly takes place every last Friday of the month. Bringing local food, coffee, deli products, gifts, plants, fresh produce and live tunes. Pop in, meet new people, hook up with old friends, support local vendors, and take delicious food home for the whole weekend. Follow them on Facebook for updates based on the weather. Free entrance and plenty of free parking. Stanford Village Green | 18:00 – 20:00

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Saturday

Hermanus parkrun For all the ‘fast and furious’ as well as the ‘slow and steady’ – experience the joy of exercising outdoors in a safe environment as you walk, run or jog this beautiful 5 km course. Parkruns are also held every Sat morning in Betty’s Bay at Harold Porter and at Groeneweide near Gansbaai. Forest Adventures, Camphill Rd, Hemel-enAarde Valley | 08:00 Hermanus Country Market A favourite among the locals: young, old, twolegged and four-legged family members are all welcome. You’ll find an array of fresh organic produce, wholesome foods, home-made delicacies, arts & crafts, plants and flowers, beers and wine, coffee and live music – everything that’s good for your health and happiness! Next to Hermanus Cricket Field | 09:00 – 14:00 Die Markie, Hermanuspietersfontein Saturdays… no better time and place to relax and catch up with family and friends than the smallest little market in Hermanus. Share a platter and a bottle or help yourself to a brekkie, brunch, or lunch. Hermanuspietersfontein Wynkelder | 09:00 – 13:00 The Gansbaai Market Specialising in fresh produce, home-baked foods and crafts. Come and enjoy entertainment and refreshments at this popular kuierplek. For enquiries, contact 028 384 8325 or email Glenda Kitley [email protected]. Kapokblom St, opposite Gansbaai Tourism | 09:00 – 13:00 Stanford Square Market Come and experience country life at this downto-earth, family-friendly market, every Saturday. Meet the makers, creators and entrepreneurs offering a range of local foods and crafts. Stanford Village Square | 09:00 – 14:00 Lemm’s Corner Antique Market Surrounded by art galleries and sublime eateries in Hermanus Old Town, this friendly market offers antiques, bric-a-brac, collectibles, vintage clothing and second-hand books. Please note that this event is weather dependent. Lemm’s Corner | 09:00 – 14:00 (weather dependent)

29

Sunday

Albert Frost Live in Concert Enjoy an afternoon of delicious food, award-winning wines, and great music at Benguela Cove! For the past two decades, the energetic performances of SAMA award-winning blues/ rock guitarist/singer Albert Frost have captured audiences worldwide. Dubbed the ‘South African Hendrix’, Frost deftly alternates between rhythm and lead, showcasing his extraordinary skills on the acoustic and electric guitars. Tickets are R100 pp and are available at www.shop.benguelacove. co.za/product/albert-frost-live-in-concert-2023. Book now to avoid disappointment. Benguela Cove | 15:00 – 17:00

20 January 2023

11

THE VILLAGE NEWS

LOVE A LITTLE LOCAL

Three-in-one-stop shop: Ink, coffee and holistic medicine H ermanus and its surrounding suburbs are filled with wonderful coffee shops, each boasting a unique setting and various types of coffee for caffeine lovers to experience and enjoy. But none of them are quite like Baked Coffee Bar in Hermanus which was opened in August 2022 by husband-and-wife team Francois and Mari Vosloo.

Their premises at 3 Mitchell Street is an amalgamation of three businesses: Baked Coffee Bar, Nature’s Farmacy and African Gangster Tattoo Studio. The coffee shop and holistic medicine shop are owned by Francois and Mari, while the tattoo studio is owned by Francois’ brother, businessman Conrad Vosloo, and his friend and tattooist Jason Johannes. Francois and Mari moved back to South Africa from the UAE in 2021 after working there for five years. Shortly after that they met the owners of Nature’s Farmacy. At around the same time, Conrad and Jason were playing with the idea of opening a tattoo studio in Hermanus. The four decided to take the risk and found premises in Hermanus with space for both their businesses. On 17 December 2021, Nature’s Farmacy and African Gangster Tattoo Studio were opened to the public. In July 2022, the two businesses moved together to what is now their current location in Mitchell Street. With much more space available and seeing the potential to grow, Francois and Mari opened a coffee shop which welcomed its first customers in August 2022.

Mari, who also runs her own baking business called Mie & Me Cake Designs, makes all the sweet treats for the coffee shop which include biscuits, brownies, and rusks (just to name a few!), and if you are really hungry there are a variety of light meals to choose from. Enjoy your treat or meal with their aromatic medium-roast coffee, or a cold bottle of juice or cooldrink. The shop also offers its customers free WiFi and comfortable spaces to sit and work in. When you are done sampling Mari’s treats, you can stroll over to the other side of the premises and have your ears pierced or have some ink done by one of the tattooists in the shop, namely Jason and Timothy Braaff. Jason began tattooing in 2015 after studying fine art at a prestigious school in Cape Town. By 2019 he became a senior artist at the tattoo studio he was working at. It was there

that he met Timothy, who became his first apprentice. The business side of the studio is overseen by Conrad who has a wealth of business experience and currently runs several companies. The staff and owners at all three shops are amazingly kind and welcoming to everyone who steps through their front door. Pop in for a tattoo or a piercing and have a delectable snack and a cup of coffee while you wait, or pay a visit to Nature’s Farmacy and see what they are all about. Baked Coffee Bar, Nature’s Farmacy and African Gangster Tattoo Studio are open Monday to Saturday at 3 Mitchell Street. Their hours are: 07:30 – 16:00 (Baked Coffee Bar) and 09:00 – 18:00 (Nature’s Farmacy and African Gangster Tattoo Studio) – Taylum Meyer

FAR LEFT: Baked Coffee Bar, African Gangster Tattoo Studio and Nature’s Farmacy can be found at 3 Mitchell Street in Hermanus. PHOTO: Taylum Meyer ABOVE: Owners of Nature’s Farmacy and Baked Coffee Bar, Francois and Mari Vosloo. PHOTO: Taylum Meyer LEFT: Choose from a variety of treats at Baked Coffee Bar made by owner Mari. PHOTO: Baked Coffee Bar BELOW: The African Gangster Tattoo Studio team: (from left) Tattooist Timothy Braaff, co-owner Conrad Vosloo, and co-owner and tattooist Jason Johannes. PHOTO: Taylum Meyer

12

THE VILLAGE NEWS

20 January 2023

Hermanus mourns passing of Dr Sandy 5 Aug 1958 - 16 Dec 2022

PHOTO: Supplied

O

ne of the most beloved veterinarians in Hermanus, Dr Sandy, died on 16 December after a long and brave battle with cancer.

Sandra Hepburn-Brown (nee Waddingham) came to Hermanus 35 years ago as a young vet and joined the practice of Drs Andrew Southey and Pierre Hugo. She brought with her a very different mindset. She was born in 1958, the youngest of five children to parents who had an alternative lifestyle –

an adventurous engineering father and a curious mother who was a keen naturalist. From the age of about five Sandy wanted to be a veterinary surgeon and only briefly considered another career – to be a fairy and help Jesus put the stars in the sky.

steward, David Hepburn-Brown, at the racecourse where she was the vet and he, her boss. It didn’t take long for the two of them to get together and when he was suddenly transferred to Cape Town she followed him and was once again working with small animals.

After qualifying she was obliged to pay off a government loan and went to work in Grahamstown where she found a very caring community.

Once they were married they moved to Durban where she couldn’t find a job so she went to work at the abattoir. This was an eye opener. Soon after she found she was pregnant with her first daughter, they bought a farm in Tesselaarsdal with partners and farmed dairy and sheep. It was here that she joined the practice in Hermanus with Southey and Hugo. Hermanus suited her temperament – it had no airs and graces and she met characters like Tiny Cloete and Marjorie Wallace who were also quite alternative. It was a lot of fun being a vet in Hermanus at that time. It was also the time when her second daughter was born.

Once the year was up she went into practice in East London and was also the Animal Welfare vet. There she received an offer to work in England. This was her first time away from her family and she was bemused by English etiquette. For the first time she had the opportunity to work with horses and found she really enjoyed it. When the opportunity arose to work in Port Elizabeth in a mixed practice she jumped at it. If a new veterinary drug came out, she would investigate it thoroughly before she used it. If possible she would use natural remedies. In 1984 she met the good-looking stipendiary

Eventually she took over the practice that had moved from the Industrial Area to a house opposite the primary school. Sandy had the practice for 30 years and had many loved and trusted colleagues including Jennifer MacKenzie, who as a

veterinary nurse was her right-hand woman. Sandy and David eventually realised their dream and created a beautiful farm in the Hemel-enAarde Valley which they turned into a stud farm. Here she found herself surrounded by mountains, dogs and horses, and was happy to be able to spend the last part of her life there.. Her love of music was legendary and she would play music while she was operating. A year and a half ago she found she had cancer but soldiered on until it became too much. A bout of Covid on top of three sessions of chemo gave her immune system a serious knock and after that she was in and out of hospital. At this time she sold the practice to Michelle Lawrance because she felt safe with her taking over the clients. Like Sandy she will not miss a call-out, even in the middle of the night and she is, according to Sandy, also a brilliant surgeon. Sandy leaves her husband, David, daughters Jen and Sarah, and her siblings. – Avis Macintyre

NOTICE OF SALE IN EXECUTION: IMMOVABLE PROPERTY IN THE MAGISTRATE’S COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF HERMANUS HELD AT HERMANUS CASE NO.:422/2021 In the matter between: MARINERS VILLAGE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION Plaintiff and THE TRUSTEES FOR THE TIME BEING FOR THE MANUEL FAMILY TRUST, Defendant In pursuance of a judgement of the above Honourable Court and in the abovementioned case, and by a Warrant of Execution issued theron, the property listed hereunder will be sold to the highest bidder for cash only, at MARINERS VILLAGE ERF 10505, HERMANUS on 10 March 2023 at 10H00 or so soon thereafter as the sale can proceed. DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY IN EXECUTION 1.ERF 10505, in the Overstrand Municipality, Division Caledon, Western Cape Province, in the extent of 350 SQM, as held under deed of transfer by the Judgement Debtor under deed of transfer T14251/2018, a vacant land zoned as a residential property. The conditions of sale may be inspected at the office of the Sheriff of Hermanus, with business address at 11B Arum Street, Hermanus, Western Cape. SIGNED AND DATED AT HERMANUS ON 17 JANUARY 2023 DE JAGER ATTORNEYS Per J De Jager Unit 7, Hemel-En-Aarde Craft Village, Village Lane, Sandbaai, Hermanus, 7200 REF: JD026 Tel no: 028 050 1022 Email: [email protected]; [email protected]

20 January 2023

A fond farewell 23 Feb 1962 – 27 Dec 2023

‘C

indy Bonthuys – you are always loved and never forgotten. May your soul rest in peace.’ This was the message on a bookmark that was given to all Cindy’s family and large circle of friends who attended a celebration of her life at the recently refurbished stoep of the Botrivier Hotel last Sunday.

As a team, Cindy and husband John, who are wellknown locals in Botrivier, used to own the Botrivier Supermarket in the days before the OK Mini Market in the “mall” in the bo-dorp.

“Cindy lost her battle against cancer in December, but she fought bravely, right up until the end,” her husband of 28 years, John Bonthuys, said. A visibly emotional John said she was always there, guiding and giving. “She was a determined and selfless person who will always be remembered. Gone – but never forgotten. I salute you, my grand warrior.” John thanked everyone for being there to support the family. Cindy’s sister, Penny Verburg, said she’d been thinking over the past few days, that you don’t

One hell of a woman Robin Appleby was a well-known local, born and raised here in Hermanus. Many would have known her as the strong personality behind Southern Right Charters. On 30 December 2022, she unfortunately succumbed to a 10-day battle in ICU after suffering a sudden and unexpected aneurysm at home. Robin and I joined Southern Right Charters in 2010 and led the business over the past decade, gaining recognition both locally and internationally as an industry-leading company, with Robin’s tenureship being the driving force.

Cindy typifies the independent and entrepreneurial spirit of many of those who call Botrivier home. It’s because of this and her larger-than-life personality that so many people came to pay their respects on Sunday.

During their ownership of the supermarket, Cindy also sold properties and the couple opened a cleaning business with Arabella as primary client. They had provided the housekeeping, maintenance, garden, and pool services since 2001.

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THE VILLAGE NEWS

PHOTO: Supplied Friends and family gathered on the stoep of the Botrivier Hotel last week to celebrate the life of Cindy Bonthuys.

ever say goodbye to someone you love. “They’re always with us. It’s a reminder to always be there for your family.” Penny said her sister was a kind person who always put up her hand to help others. “We need to keep honouring Cindy’s legacy by being kind and loving one another, because that is what life is all about.” Daughter Tara Leigh Steyn said her mom fought so hard, right up to her last breath. “It is with great sadness that we had to say our goodbyes to our family’s pillar of strength and the glue that held us all together,” she said. - Annette Yell

Her foresight and imagination saw the company gain many accolades, including Fair Trade, Blue Flag status and Best Adventure in the Cape, among many others. It also sparked the annual Welcome Whales Festival – a niche festival attracting experts in their respective marine fields, and the only marine festival to go ahead during the recent Covid-19 pandemic. Popular for her wit, hard work and strong personality, Robin Appleby was a leader in every sense of the word, but above all, her endless love for her family, daughter and friends was unwavering. To say she will be missed, is a massive understatement. Being private by nature, we will only be doing a small intimate gathering to scatter her ashes later in the year and we ask that our decision please be respected. However, in light of Robin being a popular member of the community, the family have set

PHOTO: Supplied

up a fundraising initiative (contact Ash Appleby on [email protected]) hoping to raise funds for the following:

•

•

A whale tag for this year’s MRI Whale Unit tagging project, where we will name one of the whales after Robin and watch her migration routes later this year. To erect a bench on the cliff path in memory of Robin, where people can go in their own time to pay their respects, have sundowners and remember the amazing person that was Robin.

Gone in body, Here in spirit, Forever missed, Never forgotten. Love you, Robin. – Ash Appleby

14

THE VILLAGE NEWS

MY WELLNESS

20 January 2023

ADVERTORIAL

Time to Reset, Refocus and Restart! By Lindi Prinsloo

T

he holidays are coming to an end and the New Year has arrived. Schools have reopened and routines are again the order of the day. We are back from the hustle and bustle of the festive season. While it was full of merriment, laughter, parties, tons of food and sweet treats – and sun exposure while lounging on the beach – your skin health was anything but merry. Post-holidays, our skin can look dramatically different. Let us help you to reset your skin In the next couple of weeks we will refocus, re-adjust, and restart your skincare routine to get your skin happy after the holidays. We will help you to reboot your skin and give it the attention it needs after an indulgence-filled vacation.

Vitamin C brightens your complexion, a BHA like salicylic acid banishes blemishes, and AHAs like glycolic acid can even out your skin tone. Choose products you will enjoy using, as consistency is key. You need to stick to the same products for the best results for the next couple of weeks. Then slowly introduce your preferred active ingredients. Your aesthetic practitioner can help you plan your new routine successfully. Remember, our skin often suffers from overuse and inappropriate use of too many products.

How to reset your skin?

Treatments to enjoy A skin reset doesn’t mean you should stop all treatments either. However, it’s generally a good idea to work closely with your therapist to decide what it is that your skin really needs at this point. Is it more moisture, a detox treatment or a calming treatment after too many late nights?

Back to Basics This is the hardest part, especially for those of us who love complex routines and lots of exciting products. Clear your skincare shelf. There may be some products you will re-introduce at a later stage but not for now.

More intense treatments can disrupt the skin barrier all over again and cause more sensitivity and dryness. The right balance is key. Improve the overall skin barrier function before attempting treatments such as laser or chemical peels.

Start with a basic skincare routine instead of introducing lots of active ingredients to your regime all at once, first identify which ones you need – based on the skincare concerns that are most important to you. For example: Retinol can banish fine lines,

Phototherapy LED treatment is great at repairing skin barriers and generally stimulating collagen production and boosting circulation. It requires regular use (twice a week in-clinic) but those who do use it become long-

term converts as the benefits are far-reaching. This can be added to any other treatment done in-house. Profhilo Profhilo is pure hyaluronic acid and is excellent at giving a much-needed boost of hydration to those areas in need. If you’re struggling with dehydrated skin during your reset, it can help get you through and stick with the programme. Alternatively, it can offer a skin treat at the time when you have reintroduced your full regime, super-sizing the impact of your products. Carbon Laser Peel Treatment A procedure for enhancing the skin’s radiance and promoting a smooth, glowing complexion. It helps to reduce imperfections like enlarged pores and acne – an ultimate skin detox. This treatment gives an instant improvement to your skin tone and texture, with the added benefit of no downtime. Platelet Rich Plasma therapy (PRP) This therapy has been used for decades by orthopaedic surgeons to stimulate healing, because it helps with healthy cell regeneration, resulting in a brighter complexion. More collagen means increased strength in your skin, fewer lines, and increased volume. We are super excited to introduce PRP to our list of treatments. During your treatment Dr. Annemari Louw will draw a small amount of your own blood and spin it in a centrifuge to separate the plasma from

the rest of your blood. The plasma can be injected strategically in areas that will have the greatest effect. Plasma can also be combined with skin needling treatments such as Dermapen, or Laser skin resurfacing treatments, for added benefits and better results. A list of skin concerns that PRP can address: Fine lines and wrinkles, uneven skin tone and texture, skin laxity, sun damage and even thinning hair.

More impact, less waste A skin reset really is the only way to know what products – and treatments – work for you. Not only do you save time spent on an overcomplicated routine, and money on a multitude of underwhelming products, you can start to use targeted products that truly deliver – and get the most from your treatments. Time to make this year about you! Refocus, Reset, Restart, Renew, Recharge… Let’s REFINE!

20 January 2023

15

THE VILLAGE NEWS

Local footballer is going to Spain L

ucas Isaacs, a 14-year-old in Grade 9 at Generation Schools Hermanus, recently received the exciting news that he has been selected to play for the U23 football team that will be taking part in a showcase tour in Madrid, Spain later this year. While overseas, the players will have the chance to play in front of scouts from other teams which could help kickstart their football careers. Lucas has loved football since a young age and began playing at the age of four as a left/ right wing and striker. At six years old, he joined the Hermanus Hotspurs and at the age of nine he joined his current club, Vivo United Soccer Academy. Lucas is also the current captain of his school’s U16 team (he enjoys playing right wing and attacking midfielder), who won their first trophy in May last year at a tournament in Franschhoek hosted by Global United FB (based in Germany) and Bafana Bafana legend Matthew Booth. In December, Lucas’s friend Nicholas Mnukwa (who has also been selected for the U23 team) saw a post about football trials for players between 15 and 23 years old hosted by the BT Football Recruitment Agency. Nicholas told Lucas about it and they attended the trials as well as another on 4 January from which they were selected for the team. Lucas is one of the youngest players to be selected, but he is every bit as skilled, passionate, and dedicated as his older teammates. Once in Spain, the players will train, eat, and sleep at the ESC LaLiga & NBA Centre, play five games against professional football club academies, watch two live professional matches (Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid), and tour the beautiful city of Madrid. Leading up to the tour, Lucas will train with the

LEFT: Lucas with the trophy he recived at the tournament. RIGHT: Lucas and the U16 team at Generation Schools Hermanus won their first trophy last year in May at a football tournament in Franschhoek hosted by Global United FB (based in Germany) and Bafana Bafana legend Matthew Booth. PHOTOS: Supplied U23 team in South Africa every Sunday – on top of the weekly training that he already does. Lucas, who is excited to jump into the training which begins on 5 February, says, “This is an amazing opportunity for my family and I to experience the brilliance of European football and for me to play at top-notch facilities. I must train hard and prepare in order to play well. I hope that I will catch the attention of the Spanish scouts and come home to an email saying that they want to sign me! But I should also give all the glory to God and just appreciate all the blessings that He has shone upon me. “I am also grateful towards my parents who have done a lot for me to be able to be where I am today. I want to give thanks to all my coaches from my current and previous club, my school, and my trainers at ProActive Gym for helping me to develop as a player and a person.” Lucas’s parents are extremely proud of him and the work that he

has put into his passion. His father, Larenzo, says, “I am very excited and grateful for this opportunity. If I look at how passionate Lucas is about the beautiful game of football, and how much he invests in not only his training but also in his analytical understanding of the game, then I can boldly say that this was bound to happen. It is just so amazing to watch my son doing something that he loves and to cheer for him from the sidelines. We want to wish Lucas all the best with the preparation over the next few months.” This rare opportunity is not a sponsored one which means that Lucas and his family will be doing extensive fundraising over the next few months. If anyone would like to assist in fulfilling Lucas’s dream, they can contact Larenzo on 065 911 7615. Contributions can be made to LR Isaacs, Capitec Hermanus, savings account number 126 303 8415, using the reference ‘Lucas Spain’. Best of luck to you, Lucas! – Taylum Meyer

An eleven-year-old Lucas Isaacs with former Bafana Bafana striker and current SA National U17 coach Duncan Crowie. PHOTO: Supplied

17

THE VILLAGE NEWS

20 January 2023

ROAD IMPRESSION

FLOYD

ON CARS

Toyota Corolla 1.8 Hybrid Hatchback XR (Bi-tone) By John Floyd Over the years Toyota produced several hatchbacks, the RunX, Auris and Conquest spring to mind, but to me the most exciting was officially a lift-back, the Corolla 1.8SE TRD. Built as a homologation special for rallying in the early 1980’s, its aggressive styling immediately set the model apart. This week’s test car’s styling reignites that excitement and its advanced technology moves the Corolla hatchback into a new league.

EXTERIOR Images are the only way to aptly describe the new Corolla Hatchbacks styling. Our test car carried the Bi-tone option, offering a gloss black roof and rear spoiler in contrast to the platinum white pearl finish of the bodywork, complimented by turbine styled alloys with 225/40 R18 rubber.

INTERIOR The interior has a premium look and feel, the sports style seats are finished with leather and suede upholstery and provide excellent support and comfort. The dashboard has an 8 inch infotainment touchscreen and provides voice recognition, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and navigation. The 12.3 inch digital instrument panel has multiple displays including the three driving modes Eco, Normal and Power. Front seat occupants have the convenience of a high-speed wireless phone charger and rear seat passenger’s benefit with 2 USB-C ports. Rear space is a little limited for those of larger stature.

SAFETY ABS, BAS/EBA, electro-mechanical parking brake, hill –start assist/hill holder, stability control, lane departure warning + lane keeping assist, lane change/blind spot warning/assist/monitor, plus Toyota’s Safety Sense 3.0 platform which adds Intelligent Clearance Sonar (ICS) for those tight parking spots, Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) and a Safe Exit Assist feature. 7 Airbags, (driver and front passenger, driver’s knee, front side and curtain), plus ISOFIX child seat mountings, on the outer rear seats.

DRIVING On my usual route the Corolla 1.8 hybrid proved to be a well balanced vehicle on both urban and rural roads. Chassis dynamics, steering, ride quality, good ergonomics, low NVH levels plus a power unit, transmission and hybrid system that combine perfectly, provide a very pleasant ride. The 1,8 litre petrol-electric hybrid combination is capable of delivering 103kW and 305 Nm of torque through the CVT transmission to the front wheels when required, but is capable of delivering a claimed 4.0 litres/km in the urban situation. On a slow traffic run into Hermanus I actually recorded a staggering 3.2litres/100km due to the Corolla’s hybrid system which during braking and coasting is able to recharge the onboard lithium battery. Most of the slow motoring is achieved with electric drive alone and consequently a dramatic reduction in fuel consumption. The new Toyota Corolla Hatch Hybrid XR is a remarkable vehicle and certainly proves hybrid systems are a sensible way to go in a country with vast distances between cities, where EV’s would not have the range or currently any guarantee of recharging.

PHOTOS: John Floyd

SPECIFICATIONS

STANDARD FEATURES

Vehicle Type:

5-door hatch passenger vehicle

Engine:

1.8 litre, inline 4-cylinder petrol-electric hybrid 103 kW @ 5 200 r/ min, 305 Nm @ 3 600 r/min

Transmission:

CVT automatic transmission. FWD.

Max Speed:

180 km/h

0-100km/h:

N/A

Fuel Consumption Average:

4.0 litres/100 km

Tank Capacity/Range:

43 litres (including reserve) /1 075 km

CO2 Emission:

91 g/km

Load Capacity:

305 litres

Warranty:

3 yrs/100 000 km vehicle, 8 yrs/195 000 km hybrid battery

Service/Maintenance Plan:

6 services/90 000 km

List Price:

R538 800

• Climate control / automatic air conditioning • Multi-function steering wheel controls • Controls interface screen • Navigation + active/adaptive cruise control • Bluetooth connectivity + auxiliary input • USB port – front + rear • Power socket 12V – front • Central locking – keyless • Keyless access + start / hands-free key • Child-proof/safety lock • Electric windows – front + rear • Heated rear screen / rear demister • Rear screen wiper • Rain sensor (auto wipers) • Autodim interior mirror

• Electric-adjust mirrors • Heated exterior mirrors • Electric-fold/retractable mirrors • Leather upholstery – suede-cloth + leather • Seats (quantity) – 5 • Lumbar support adjustment – driver • Split + folding rear seat • Heated seats – front • Daytime driving/running lights • Light sensor (auto on-off lights) • LED headlights • High-beam assist • Front fog lamps/lights • Park distance control – front + rear • Park distance control camera – rear

All data courtesy of Duoporta - Vehicle Information Specialists

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THE VILLAGE NEWS

20 January 2023

Recharged classic Mini EV conversion FLOYD

ON CARS Compiled by John Floyd

I

n the Late 50s, Alec Issigonis had a simple but brilliant idea. Out of it came the greatest of all small cars, the Mini. A car that could transport four people and their luggage, was fun to drive and stylishly modern. Now, MINI Recharged continues to tell the story of the classic Mini, electrifying them to provide emissions free driving in an engaging — yet sustainable way.

PHOTOS: newspressuk.com

Classic Mini converted or purchase a model from Recharged Heritage and then have it electrified. With two modes available from the 18-kWh lithium-ion battery with a 72 kW electric motor revving up 14 000 rpm, customers can opt for ‘Pure’ mode, which accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in 11.5 seconds and achieves a top speed of 78 mph (equivalent to the Classic Mini 1275 GT) or ‘Sport’ mode, which reaches 0 to 62 mph in 8.5 seconds and travels at a top speed of 92 mph. With a 6.6 kW on-board charger, the battery can be charged in three hours on a 7 kW wall-box or nine hours on a standard three-pin plug house connection. The MINI Recharged offers a WLTP range of 103 miles.

Built entirely in the UK, from its Padiham, Burnley and Bristol facilities, the team at Recharged Heritage replaced the original petrol engine with a modern electric drivetrain. During the conversion, the team updated the interior and the distinctive rear end gets MINI Recharged branding — to tell the world that this is a different breed of Mini.

MINI and legendary designer Sir Paul Smith have collaborated on a MINI Recharged Paul Smith car. It debuted in Milan and was then shown at the 2022 Goodwood Revival and Japan. People love it and so does Sir Paul.

There have been electric conversions of classic cars before — but nothing like this one. From the start an enormous effort has been made to ensure that the conversion can easily be reversed. The body remains as the original with no new holes and the petrol engine can be put back in, no problem.

We attach great importance in ensuring that MINI Recharged conversions retain the authenticity of the original vehicle when we marry it to the latest 21st Century EV technology. Not only does this idea underline the legacy of the traditional British brand, but also demonstrates British engineering excellence fit for the future.” say Recharged Heritage co- founders and directors Tom Festa, Chris Harper and Chris Hazel.

Also, the car has been engineered so that it weighs no more than the original. The fun factor in driving a classic Mini has been preserved fully intact and you don’t need to buy the whole car. Potential customers can either have their own

The Recharged Heritage team suggests that costs will be starting from £42 500 for converting your own existing Mini and £62 500 including a donor classic Mini.

Time is right for EV training Compiled by John Floyd

consumption of the fleets decreasing by 16% and range increasing by 20%.”

Recently, there has been an increased focus on electric vehicles (EV). The burgeoning fuel price and the ideal timing of the development of EV technology is providing drivers with alternative options at exactly the right time. In South Africa, however, the ownership of EV vehicles is limited by affordability. Yet, as uptake of the technology grows in South Africa — so will its affordability.

There are also safety ramifications to changing to EVs without adequate training. “Planning ahead is an essential part of defensive driving. In an EV, it becomes one of the most important tools in improving efficiency as it decreases sudden braking and harsh acceleration. The safety implications of this is that it accounts for traffic behind the EV driver who may not expect such a harsh deceleration.

The CEO of MasterDrive, Eugene Herbert, says as this technology grows in South Africa, the time for EV training will soon be necessary. “A company's decision to adopt EV technology in their fleets will likely be done for a number of reasons including reduced fuel consumption and impact on the environment. Yet, there are a number of small but important differences between driving an EV and a petrol-fuelled vehicle. Training ensures a driver gets the most from an EV which has safety and efficiency benefits. “EVS requires drivers to understand range and how to get the most from it, adjusting to instant acceleration, preparing for greater deceleration and knowing what to avoid. Without training, drivers will not get the full efficiency of an EV vehicle. This decreases energy-saving benefits. In an international pilot, 67 drivers received training on driving EVs which resulted in energy

“Training also helps drivers understand what they can expect from the vehicle. The international study revealed range anxiety is one of the most inhibiting factors to EV uptake. Much concern about this can be alleviated by helping drivers understand that by simply being a smoother driver, range can be considerably increased. Yet, this is unlikely to happen without adequate training.” With the widespread uptake internationally and the start of the uptake in South Africa, the time is right for EV training. “South Africa faces its own challenges in changing mindsets about EV vehicles and with the energy crisis we currently face that does create challenges. This challenge alone, however, emphasises the importance of training EV drivers even more,” says Herbert.

PHOTO: Unsplash @preciousm

20 January 2023

19

THE VILLAGE NEWS

Suzuki S-Presso upgraded

PHOTOS: Waldo van der Waal, Plan-C Productions

FLOYD

ON CARS Compiled by John Floyd

T

he S-Presso first arrived on South African shores shortly before lockdown and has since become a top-seller in the passenger vehicle market, thanks to its high ground clearance, spacious cabin, high specification level and of course, its top-notch fuel consumption. These features and many more, further enhance the upgraded model, which is available immediately at Suzuki dealers across South Africa. “Our slogan for the S-Presso is ‘Do You!’ as we found that it allowed young and old to do more of what they wanted to do, without breaking the budget,” says Brendon Carpenter, Brand Marketing Manager of Suzuki Auto South Africa. “For the upgraded S-Presso, we invite our Suzuki family to do even more, and we have improved and upgraded virtually every specification that has made the S-Presso one of our top-selling compact cars.” At the heart of the S-Presso upgrade is the fitment of the new 1.0 Dualjet engine, code named K10C, which is fitted with two injectors per cylinder for more efficient fuel flow to

the combustion chambers. The combustion chambers have in turn been made smaller to vastly increase the thermal efficiency and fuel combustion and there are new piston cooling oil jets to keep the engine running at optimal temperature, despite the higher combustion efficiency. First seen in the compact Suzuki Celerio, the K10C engine has earned the Celerio the title of most fuel efficient passenger vehicle in South Africa under R200 000. The same numbers now apply to the S-Presso. While power and torque are virtually unchanged from before (49 kW at 5 500 rpm and 89 Nm at 3 500 rpm), fuel consumption has dropped to be on par with the Celerio. This means the manual version of the S-Presso uses only 4.6 litres of petrol per 100 km in a combined cycle and the Automated Manual Transmission (AMT) version sips only 4.4 litres per 100 km. The entire range is fitted with Stop-Start technology (Engine Auto Start Stop or EASS), which switches off the engine when stationary and restarts it in less than a second when needed. Suzuki knows that improvement requires improved safety and so an Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) is fitted to the entire range, making the S-Presso one of the most affordable vehicles on the market to have this important safety feature. The S-Presso also incorporates Suzuki’s HEART-

ECT platform, offering a very rigid safety as well as an impressive array of safety equipment for the price. Every S-Presso is now fitted with ISOFIX top and lower child restraint anchors as standard and every model in the range has two airbags as standard. As an additional safety feature, the AMT models now have Hill Hold Control as standard, preventing the vehicle from rolling backwards when pulling away from standstill on an incline. All models are now fitted with an immobilizer, childproof rear door locks, ABS brakes and rear ultrasonic park sensors. There is no mistaking the S-Presso for any other compact entry-level vehicle. Its unique SUV-design, 181 mm ground clearance and funky colors makes it an easy vehicle to spot in any environment. For the upgraded version, Suzuki has added alloy wheels to both the GL+ and S-Edition models. These models now have 14” alloy wheels fitted with 165/70 rubber. The GL model has steel wheels with full wheel covers and all models have a full-sized spare wheel. The S-Edition also has a new exterior upgrade kit, which includes the silver-coloured bumper inserts and new silver detailing on the front bumper. The full range now has body-coloured bumpers and door handles. Suzuki remains one of the pioneers of touchscreen infotainment systems in the entry-level

market and for the upgraded S-Presso it has upped the game again. Going forward, the S-Presso GL+ will have the much-loved 7” Suzuki infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and digital vehicle alerts as standard. This system allows for touch input, and it has Bluetooth and steering wheel controls for hands-free cell phone use. The S-Edition features a larger, 9” high-resolution screen and features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality and displays the new reverse camera that is standard on this model. As before, the entire S-Presso range has Bluetooth connectivity, steering mounted controls, central locking, front electric windows, air conditioning and power steering as standard Suzuki has upgraded the S-Presso line-up to offer five models and incorporate the S-Edition as a standard model option. The range consists of the following models: • S-Presso 1.0 GL Manual • S-Presso 1.0 GL Automated Manual Transmission (AMT) • S-Presso 1.0 GL+ Manual • S-Presso 1.0 GL+ Automated Manual Transmission (AMT) • S-Presso 1.0 S-Edition Manual • S-Presso 1.0 S-Edition Automated Manual Transmission (AMT) All S-Presso models are sold with a 2 year / 30 000 km Service Plan and 5 year / 200 000 km promotional mechanical warranty.

20 16

THE VILLAGE NEWS

20 January 2023

MY ENVIRONMENT

Humans can learn from the bromvoël By Dr Anina Lee

D

on’t you just love the onomatopoeic Afrikaans names for some of our birds? Think of the ‘hoephoep’ or ‘bromvoël’ (‘brom’ meaning growl or grumble in English). The former is easy to guess, and the latter is, of course, also known as the Southern Ground Hornbill (Bucorvus leadbetteri).

The bromvoël has several vocalisations. Apart from the ‘brom’, their repertoire also includes grunting, whooping, grumbling and even roaring – depending on circumstances. They are striking-looking birds with all black plumage, except for the white primary flight feathers. Not that they fly a lot. As the name implies, they are primarily ground-dwelling birds. They stand more than a metre tall and weigh in at over six kg. The wingspan measures up to 1.8 m, so they are able to lift off and fly, despite their size. The birds usually roost in trees and make their nests in hollows, either in trees or river banks. There’s a bright red patch of skin over its face and throat, which makes it vaguely resemble a turkey. Male patches are all red.

Females look very similar to the males, but their red throat also shows a large purple/blue patch directly beneath the beak. However, the birds only develop these colors as adults. For the first three years, the facial skin is grey or pale yellow, and the feathers are not quite black but rather dark brown. Of course, the most striking feature of the bird is the so-called hornbill. It’s an impressively thick, slightly curved bill designed for effective foraging and capturing prey. The ‘horn’ on top of the bill looks like an extra piece of beak attached but it’s actually a chamber that amplifies the sounds the hornbill makes – to great effect! Up close, the most noticeable feature are its beautiful pale blue eyes, complete with a set of eyelashes

that would make a fashion model jealous. The eyelashes are actually modified feathers that help protect their eyes from dust and sunlight. We call them ‘Southern’ Ground Hornbills as they typically roam in the Southern African savannas and grasslands of Angola, Namibia, and South Africa. Their habitat is a combination of short grass in which they can forage for food and tall trees for nesting and roosting. In the wild, Southern Ground Hornbills are skilled foragers, much like baboons. They are carnivorous and will seek out all kinds of insects, arthropods, snails, birds, frogs, and even snakes. Small rodents like leverets and mice may also be on the menu. Southern Ground Hornbills live in ‘families’ or groups of 10 or 12. Like a herd of grazers, hornbill families have a dominant pair. They are monogamous, pairing for the 30 – 40 years of their lives unless their mate dies. The dominant pair is usually the oldest, or biggest and strongest birds. These two are the only birds that have breeding rights and they only start breeding at about 10 years of age. The other birds act as a sort of support structure. They will hunt for and help to take care of the young. Despite (or perhaps because of ) their complicated breeding habits they are extremely slow breeders, which makes them more vulnerable to extinction. The Southern Ground Hornbill is what is technically referred to as an ‘obligate cooperative breeder’. This means that to breed successfully, a mating pair needs the assistance of at least two other birds, often juveniles. Studies have shown that when these assistants are not present, adult hornbills often fail to breed successfully. Moreover, hornbills who did not assist others with young in their early years are less likely to rear their own young. Hornbills lay two (or sometimes three) eggs at a time in a nest in a hollow tree. The eggs are laid up to two weeks apart so that the first chick to hatch is already big and strong when the second one hatches. It is thus able to commandeer any food that the adults bring to the nest, with the result that the second chick starves to death. Sadly, not all the first-born chicks survive into adulthood either. Overall infant mortality is around 70%. The truth is that a group of Southern Ground Hornbills successfully raise only one chick roughly every nine years. The chick must be taught how to eat, how to kill a poisonous snake, how to avoid being stung by a scorpion, where to sleep safely at night, and how to get away

ABOVE: A Southern Ground Hornbill (‘bromvoël’) in flight. About the size of a turkey, the Southern Ground Hornbill is the largest species of hornbill on Earth. PHOTO: Africa Freak BELOW LEFT: A Southern Ground Hornbill female (note the blue/purple patch) with her chick. PHOTO: SA Venues from predators such as caracals. The group is so busy teaching all this to one chick that it cannot breed for several years. All the energy goes into getting the precious chick past the age of five. (Homo sapiens could learn some useful lessons from them.) This extremely low reproduction rate is one of the reasons why the number of Southern Ground hornbills is decreasing rapidly, with the result that they are now classified in South Africa as endangered outside of protected areas. Like so many of Africa’s beautiful creatures, the main threat to hornbills comes from us through human expansion, habitat destruction, environmental poisoning, logging, and hunting. Hornbills are often hunted by humans for traditional rituals and medicine, or killed for entering or damaging property.

Fortunately, conservation efforts are underway, with organisations like the Mabula Ground Hornbill Project playing a leading role in protecting these beautiful birds. Some of the most successful conservation strategies thus far have been to provide artificial nests and to harvest and rear the second-born chicks that would otherwise die of starvation. Once the chicks are artificially reared, the rewilding process must begin, and environmentalists can introduce them into an existing hornbill family to teach them life skills in nature. Along with these conservation plans, there are educational and awareness programs to teach people the importance of protecting these precious birds. Environmental education is critical if South Africa’s biodiversity is to survive the human onslaught. We must understand and acknowledge – and then correct – what we did wrong in nature.